Possibly the most popular industrial standard multimeters on the market, the Fluke 80 Series has a reputation to uphold, since it has been gracing the scene valiantly for decades. This is the problem solving device for the professional, being both highly productive through speed and responsiveness and also highly accurate and functional.
It sports most ranges, including micro-amps, and has features like Min/Max, two-level backlight, and exceptional input protection against errant spikes. The 80 series is down to two multimeters today: the 83V and widely revered 87V – the V refereeing to version 5.
Others: while we have included the 88V in this lineup, as people might be searching for it, it is not strictly an 80 Series multimeter, being an automotive DMM and part of its own series. The intrinsically safe 87V Ex has been re-badged as the 28II Ex.
Specs and features of the Fluke 80 Series comparison detailed below:
83V: Average RMS Industrial DMM
87V: True RMS Industrial DMM
88V: Automotive DMM
Common attributes:
- MIN/MAX-Average
- Auto / manual ranging
- AutoHOLD
- Amps, milliamps, micro-amps
- Backlit display with analog bar graph
- Input alert function
- IP30 rating
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Built in the USA
- Same size
Fluke 87V
This is one of Fluke’s best selling multimeters and is probably regarded by many as the de facto, go-to model of choice for the professional. It has all the right ranges, including temperature, is really accurate and reliable, and is very hardy. With this you get a True RMS multimeter for all occasions; good on the shop floor, in the field and on the bench. It boasts a 20,000-count dual display to show minute changes and a host of features and functions, to include a generous temperature range, low pass filter and a calibration mode. You can also get the 87V in a combo kit. Read full review…
Fluke 83V
The 83 is a cheaper version of the 87. It has most of its ranges, but does without True RMS and temperature and is a little light on accuracy and display resolution. This is still, however, an excellent tool boasting the exact same mechanical and electrical protection specs and reliability, and the same voltage/current measuring values. A great every day, industrial-strength device. Read full review…
Fluke 88V
The 88V shares many of the attributes of the 87, but is built for the automotive repair world. It is regarded as the best handheld vehicle repair multimeter in the business and carries the baton for the old 88. With this you get additional ranges and functions, such as RPM, Pulse Width and Peak Min/Max measurements. Results are similarly as accurate as the 83V for voltage, current and resistance. Deals on combo kits are typically good value. Read full review…
Differences between the Fluke 83V, 87V and 88V
| MODEL | 87V | 83V | 88V |
|---|---|---|---|
| BASIC FEATURES | |||
| Digits | 4 1/2 | 3 5/6 | 4 1/2 |
| True RMS | ✓ | - | - |
| Bandwidth | 20kHz | 5kHz | - |
| Auto/Manual Ranging | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Battery | 9V | 9V | 9V |
| Holster | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| RANGES | |||
| Voltage AC / DC | 1000V | 1000V | 1000V |
| Current AC / DC | 10A (20A, 30s) | 10A (20A, 30s) | 10A (20A, 30s) |
| Micro-amps | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Milliamps | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| DC accuracy | ±(0.05%+1) | ±(0.1%+1) | ±(0.1%+1) |
| Resistance | 50MΩ | 50MΩ | 50MΩ |
| Capacitance | 9,999µF | 9,999µF | 9,999µF |
| Frequency | 200kHz | 200kHz | 200kHz |
| Continuity (beep) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diode Test | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Temperature | ✓ | - | ✓ |
| RPM | - | - | ✓ |
| MODES | |||
| Min/Max Recording | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Peak Min/Max | 250µs | - | 250µs |
| Relative (REL) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AutoHOLD | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Power-Off | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Count | 20,000 | 6,000 | 20,000 |
| Backlit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bar Graph | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SAFETY | |||
| CAT-III Rating | 1000V | 1000V | 1000V |
| CAT-IV Rating | 600V | 600V | 600V |
| IP Rating | IP30 | IP30 | IP30 |
Conclusion
All three Fluke multimeters are built to spec and fulfill a purpose. The 87V is the top of the line, with all the ranges and the tightest accuracy and resolution. Short of a higher-end data logging multimeter, like the Fluke 289 or Agilent U1253B, or a dedicated bench meter, it is about as good as it gets in the handheld variety.
The 83V would better suit those where the measurement of AC variable drive outputs is not so important and who don’t require such a wide bandwidth.
Both the 87V and the 83V also work well in the automotive market, but if you’re going to be spending this kind of money anyway, you may as well go for the dedicated version and get the 88V. All are similarly priced, the 83V being cheapest.
You may also be interested in a hard storage case for your 80 Series meter: